Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taipei VGH) has entered into a new partnership with Gilead Sciences Taiwan, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on clinical trial collaboration. Through the integration of expertise and resources, the two parties aim to strengthen the clinical trial environment, enhance processes, and improve execution efficiency. According to Taipei VGH Deputy Superintendent Wang Shu-Jun, the hospital has in recent years actively collaborated with both domestic and international institutions, leveraging complementary strengths and talent. The signing of this MOU will deepen their partnership and help address bottlenecks and unmet needs in clinical treatment.
The MOU was signed by Wang Shu-Jun, Deputy Superintendent of Taipei VGH, and Janet Dorling, Senior Vice President of Intercontinental Region and Gilead Patient Solutions at Gilead Sciences. By integrating their professional expertise and resources, both sides will jointly promote the development of new medicines in Taiwan while advancing clinical trial efficiency and quality.
Wang noted that in recent years, Taipei VGH has focused on cancer treatment, including establishing a partnership with NYU Langone Medical Center, conducting heavy ion therapy research with Mayo Clinic, and developing CAR-T programs to provide more precise and effective treatment options.
Over the past decade, Taipei VGH and Gilead Sciences Taiwan have collaborated on clinical trials primarily in hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cancer. In particular, oncology clinical trials have grown rapidly in the past three years and now account for the majority, spanning Phases I to IV. Wang emphasized that this new collaboration will focus on multiple therapeutic areas, including liver diseases, inflammatory and immune-related conditions, and cancers. By combining their expertise in clinical research and drug development, the partnership will further support clinical trials. As a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, Gilead will contribute its advanced drug development technologies and therapeutic solutions.
Janet Dorling stressed that Gilead greatly values its strategic collaboration with Taipei VGH. She expressed hope that by working together in key areas such as virology, inflammatory diseases, and oncology, the two organizations can accelerate the development of innovative therapies to benefit more patients. Gilead has long been dedicated to antiviral drug development and, in recent years, has expanded its expertise into cancer therapies and immune-related inflammatory diseases. She added that the MOU is expected to bring patients more treatment options and possibilities, while also strengthening international cooperation through early-stage research, clinical trials, and the recommendation of medical experts to represent Taiwan in international forums. This will foster academic exchange and nurture outstanding principal investigators and clinical trial teams.
Cathy Su, General Manager of Gilead Sciences Taiwan, also noted that innovation and collaboration to build a healthier Taiwan are at the core of the company’s mission. She said she is delighted to establish this partnership with Taipei VGH, which will help achieve greater breakthroughs in the clinical field. This collaboration not only represents a long-term commitment to patients but also contributes more effective treatment options to the global medical community. Having been deeply rooted in Taiwan for a decade, Gilead is set to become Taipei VGH’s tenth international clinical trial partner. By joining forces, the two organizations aim to multiply health benefits and continue creating more treatment possibilities within limited lifespans—ultimately improving outcomes for more patients.
Resource: 北榮與台灣吉立亞醫藥開啟合作 加速病毒學、發炎疾病及腫瘤學創新
